Description
Tangy homemade cranberry jam layered over a buttery almond-flavored shortbread crust and topped with a crunchy almond streusel. Tart cranberries balance sweet almond-infused crust and crumb topping, with jam cooked until bubbly and thickened for perfect spreading.
Ingredients
Cranberry Jam Filling:
2 cups cranberries plus ¼ cup extra for sprinkling
2 tablespoons orange juice
½ cup granulated sugar
1½ tablespoons cornstarch
Shortbread Crust:
½ cup butter, softened
¼ cup icing sugar
½ teaspoon almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup almond flour
Almond Streusel Topping:
1 cup almond flour
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
½ teaspoon almond extract
¼ cup sliced almonds (for topping)
Instructions
Cook cranberries, orange juice, sugar, and cornstarch over medium heat until bubbling and cranberries begin to crack, about 10 minutes. Cool jam 1+ hour until thick. Reserve ¼ cup fresh cranberries.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment.
Mix softened butter, icing sugar, almond extract, and flours to form dough. Press firmly into pan bottom. Bake 15–17 minutes until golden. Cool 10 minutes.
Combine streusel ingredients until damp and crumbly.
Spread cooled cranberry jam over crust, leaving ½ inch border. Scatter reserved cranberries on top.
Crumble streusel evenly over jam, sprinkle with sliced almonds; press lightly.
Bake 20 minutes, tent with foil, then bake 12–15 minutes more until golden and firm.
Cool 2–3 hours in pan, refrigerate 1 hour before cutting into 16 squares.
Notes
Use fresh or frozen cranberries.
Press crust and streusel evenly.
Tent with foil to prevent over-browning.
Chill bars before slicing for clean edges.
Use quality almond extract for flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/16 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 60
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: christmas cranberry bars, almond shortbread bars, cranberry streusel bars, festive holiday bars, tangy cranberry dessert